CD: Displays the name of or changes the current directory.
The command: "CD" is on Windows 11, 10, .. available
"CD" Excerpt from Microsoft Windows Help
Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19045.3693]
(c) Copyright 1985-2023 Microsoft Corp.
C:\\WINDOWS>
Displays the name of or changes the current directory.
CHDIR [/D] [drive:][path]
CHDIR [..]
CD [/D] [drive:][path]
CD [..]
.. Specifies that you want to change to the parent directory.
Type CD drive: to display the current directory in the specified drive.
Type CD without parameters to display the current drive and directory.
Use the /D switch to change current drive in addition to changing current
directory for a drive.
If Command Extensions are enabled CHDIR changes as follows:
The current directory string is converted to use the same case as
the on disk names. So CD C:\TEMP would actually set the current
directory to C:\Temp if that is the case on disk.
CHDIR command does not treat spaces as delimiters, so it is possible to
CD into a subdirectory name that contains a space without surrounding
the name with quotes. For example:
cd \winnt\profiles\username\programs\start menu
is the same as:
cd "\winnt\profiles\username\programs\start menu"
which is what you would have to type if extensions were disabled.
The examples for the command "CD"
The
`CD` command in Windows Command Prompt is used to change the current working directory. Here are some examples with comments:
Example 1: Go to a specific directory:
CD C:\Example\Directory
Description: This command changes the current working directory to
"C:\Example\Directory".
Example 2: Go to parent directory:
CD..
Description: This command changes the current working directory to the parent directory.
Example 3: Switch back to user directory:
CD %HOMEPATH%
Description: This resets the current working directory to the user directory, regardless of which drive the user directory is located on.
Example 4: Save current working directory in a variable:
SET OldDirectory=%CD%
Description: This command saves the current working directory in the environment variable
`%OldDirectory%`.
Example 5: Go to previous working directory:
CD /D %OldDirectory%
Description: This uses previously saved
`%OldDirectory%` to return to the previous working directory. The
`/D` parameter also allows changing the drive.
Example 6: Change working directory and disconnect existing drive connections:
CD /DC:\New\Directory
Description: The drive can be changed with
`/D`. Here the current working directory is changed to
"C:\New\Directory" and existing network drive connections are disconnected.
The
`CD` commands are particularly useful when navigating directories on the command line or when changing the working directory within batch scripts. Note that
`CD` does not require a drive letter if you are on the same drive where you want to change the working directory.
Important information, tips for the "CD" command
When using the
`CD` command in the Windows Command Prompt, there are a few important points to keep in mind:
1.
Specify path correctly: Make sure you specify the full or relative path to the target directory correctly. Errors in path specification can lead to unexpected behavior.
CD C:\Example\Directory
2.
Attention to spaces: If the path contains spaces, it should be enclosed in quotation marks to ensure that it is interpreted correctly.
CD "C:\Directory with spaces"
3.
Parent directory: The path
"`..`" represents the parent directory. You can use it to move up a directory.
CD..
4.
Special Directories: There are special directories like
`%HOMEPATH%` for the user directory. You can use it to change the directory without explicitly specifying the path.
CD %HOMEPATH%
5.
Change Drive: If you want to change the drive, add the drive letter with the path or use the
`/D` switch.
CD /DE:\A\Other\Directory
6.
Use Variable: You can use a variable to store the current working directory and access it later.
SET OldDirectory=%CD%
CD C:\New\Directory
REM... do something in the new directory
CD /D %OldDirectory%
7.
UNC Paths and Network Drives: The
`CD` command can also be used with Universal Naming Convention (UNC) paths for network resources.
CD \\Server\Share
8.
Error Handling: Check the return behavior of the
`CD` command, especially when using it in a script. An unsuccessful change of directory can result in unexpected behavior.
CD Unknown directory
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 (
ECHO Error changing directory.
)
Make sure you consider the above points to ensure the desired behavior when using the
`CD` command in the Windows Command Prompt.
